Mining Commission Calls Undeveloped Mining Licenses Owners To Foot Debts

By Valentine Oforo, Dodoma

THE Tanzania mining commission has appealed to all investors with undeveloped mining licenses to develop their potential areas as well as pay for their outstanding debts they owe the commission, starting from this month.


The Executive Secretary of the mining commission, Eng. Yahya Ismail Samamba yesterday told this publication during an interview that the unfriendly development was thwarting the smooth metamorphosis of the country’s key economic sector.


Not only that, but he communicated that the defaulters were denying the government patriotic opportunity to gain needed revenue collection from the prestigious facet.


“We’re appreciating the good contributions by all investors in helping develop the country’s mining sector. That's why we’re reminding them to fulfill their statutory obligations in order to have the sector run successfully,” he expressed.


In order to facilitate the payment of the debts in question, Eng Samamba kindly urged the license holders to go to the resident mines offices in all regions across the country in order to agree on the best way to pay the debts in installments.



He insisted that the commission will take legal action against all owners who will fail to comply with the given instructions, added: “We would like to remind them that the period of three months to pay voluntarily has expired on September 30, 2023 and thus, we have patriotically decided to offer them a special grace period to service their debts,”


The Mining Commission was established under the Mining Act 2010 as amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendment) Act 2017. The Commission came into existence through the Government Notice No. 27 issued on 7th July, 2017.



The Commission has taken over all operational functions that were being performed by the minerals division under the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and all functions that were being performed by Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency (TMAA) and Tanzania Diamond Sorting Organization (TANSORT).



The responsibility of the minerals division is now to advise the Minister on all matters related to the mining sector. The aim of the Commission is to enhance management of the mining sector and to ensure that the government is benefiting from the income generated in a sustainable manner.